In this second installment of School of Fear, Garrison, Theo, Madeleine, and Lulu, are all returning to Summerstone and Mrs. Wellington, Macaroni, and Schmidty, for the required follow-up retraining session.  All four of the returning alumni believed themselves to be ‘fixed’ of their irrational fears, but we find that not to be true.  Shortly after their arrival, they find that Summerstone and Mrs. Wellington are the victims of thievery and burglary.  Mrs. Wellington, a former ‘beauty queen,’ believes it to be the revenge of failed competitors.  Meanwhile, a new student arrives, Hyacinth, with her pet ferret, Cereal.  The premise of this book is that EVERYONE is afraid of something, and that is normal.  However, it is the obsession and paranoia which accompanies some people’s fears that are not normal.  Hyacinth’s fear is being alone, abandoned.  We soon find that the others’ fears have not really been conquered, but merely better hidden.  Life goes on and within a day of arrival, all are on their way to a beauty pageant in which Mrs. Wellington believes the thief will be revealed.  But more importantly, Hyacinth speaks to a reporter at the pageant and reveals the deep, dark secrets of Summerstone.  This reporter threatens to reveal all about Summerstone and Mrs. Wellington’s extreme training techniques.  Everyone gives up hope:  Mrs. Wellington goes into seclusion, the kids are about to say goodbye, when the savior comes…….

This book is definitely quirky and fast-paced, and oftentimes gets confusing.  But the snappy dialogue makes it extremely funny and satisfying.  The humor is one reason I labeled it as a 4th grade and up read; I don’t think younger kids have developed that specific skill of humor as displayed here.  The characterization is spot on!  I actually look at some people who look like they have it all together, and wonder, ‘what is their fear?’  We all have them, it’s true.  Highly recommended for elementary and middle school libraries.